Cromer has come alive with the sound of music for this weekend’s 20th anniversary Folk on the Pier festival.

Dozens of bands and solo performers taken the stage at the festival’s epicentre, the Pavilion Theatre, while the town’s pubs, cafes and other venues hosted an extensive ‘fringe’ programme of gigs.

The action began on Thursday night (May 10) with a special Kinder Shores concert which raised money for a new service to help care leavers such as those in foster care.

Scott Butler, festival producer, said the festival had come a long way since its roots with a single gig by folk rockers Fairpoint Convention.

He said: “It was 20 years ago today, that Fairport came to town to play. Well almost, and if you count the original Fairport gig in 1998 when Dave Pegg created our rather enduring strapline ‘the best gig on the North Sea’ then we are really 21.”

The Kemp's Men of Norwich at year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Among the performers have been the band Banter, Jez Lowe, Little Johnny England, Palmerston and Richard Digance.

SEE HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL AND LINE UP OF ACTS: Huge weekend of music planned for this year’s Folk on the Pier festivalFringe venues taking part include the Old Rock Shop Bistro, Pavilion Theatre Bar, the King’s Head, Cromer Social Club, Cliftonville Hotel, The White Horse Inn, the Albion, North Sea Coffee Co, Cromer Community Centre and the North Lodge Tea Room.

The festival winds up on Sunday evening, after performances all day.

Among those enjoying the music was photographer Alison Toon, who has provided this gallery of shots from the festival.

Morris On were among the bands taking part in this year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Morris dancing side Kemp's Men of Norwich also took part in this year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Morris On were among the bands taking part in this year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Morris On at year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Eric Sedge performs at the Kinder Shores concert at Cromer Pier, which kicked off this year's Folk on the Pier festival. Picture: ALISON TOON

Palmerston were among the bands taking part in this year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

Hayley Moyses' Britgrass Three also performed at the Kinder Shores concert at Cromer Pier, which kicked off this year's Folk on the Pier festival. Picture: ALISON TOON

Morris On were among the bands taking part in this year's Folk on the Pier festival in Cromer. Picture: ALISON TOON

From left, Cromer's mayor John Frosdick, Kinder Shores organiserJenni Randall and Wendy Dawson, chief executive of the Rees Foundation, at Cromer Pier. The Kinder Shores concert, which raised money for a Rees Foundation project to provide more support for care leavers such as those in foster care, kicked off this year's Folk on the Pier festival. Picture: ALISON TOON

Mike Burke performs at the Kinder Shores concert at Cromer Pier, which kicked off this year's Folk on the Pier festival. Picture: ALISON TOON